Birmingham City are facing "massive blow" as Demarai Gray exit clause emerges | OneFootball

FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit has given his reaction to reports that winger Demarai Gray could be set to leave the club this summer.

It is set to be an important summer for Birmingham City after a frustrating first season back in the Championship.

Birmingham began the season aiming to secure back-to-back promotions, but after an inconsistent campaign, they eventually finished 10th in the table, eight points adrift of the play-off places.

Despite speculation over his future in recent months, the Blues are set to stick with manager Chris Davies, but as they look to mount a promotion challenge next season, there could be plenty of changes to the squad this summer.

While the likes of Kyogo and Marvin Ducksch are widely expected to depart over the coming months, it seems winger Demarai Gray is another of Birmingham's marquee signings from last summer who could be heading for the exit door.

Almost a decade after leaving the club for Leicester City, Gray made an emotional return to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park last summer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, but he scored just five goals and provided six assists in 39 appearances during an underwhelming first season back in the Midlands.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Gray has a clause in his Birmingham contract that will allow him to depart if triggered by 10 July, and "several clubs" are already said to be making approaches for the 29-year-old.

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When asked for his thoughts on Gray's potential exit, FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit Jason Moore admitted that he would be disappointed to see him depart his boyhood club for a second time, but he insisted it could be a sensible deal for the Blues if they use the funds from his sale to bring in two new wingers.

"It's a funny one with Demarai Gray," Jason told FLW.

"I'm going to say it would be a massive blow to lose him because he was absolute quality in the first half of the season.

"Overall, I'd be disappointed if we were to lose him, purely because, let's be honest, there is talent there.

"Clearly, he is way too good for the Championship. He should not be playing Championship football.

"My only thing with Demarai Gray is, can you guarantee you're going to get him when he's hungry and wants to put his all in?

"I don't know what it was, but in the second half of the season he was shocking.

"Overall, it'd be really disappointing to lose him, but on the second half of the season, I don't think I'd be devastated.

"Out of the players there are stories about leaving, Demarai Gray and Jay Stansfield, I think I'd be more disappointed losing Stansfield.

"Obviously, I don't want to see him go, but if you can use those wages to get two quality wingers, I wouldn't be too upset about it."

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Birmingham had high hopes for Gray when they brought him back to the club last summer, but like many of their recent high-profile signings, it is fair to say he has struggled to live up to expectations.

There is no doubt that, on his day, Gray is one of the most exciting wingers in the Championship, so the Blues will be reluctant to lose a player of his talent without seeing him at his best, but there are big question marks over whether he will be able to deliver consistently next season.

Gray is estimated to earn £30,000-a-week at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, so his departure would certainly free up space in the wage bill, and Birmingham may be tempted to cash in on him and bolster their options in the wide areas.